Anthony Joshua is ready to tackle Jake Paul in a heavyweight showdown earlier than Christmas with the struggle to be broadcast stay on Netflix.
Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua are set to struggle earlier than Christmas (Picture: Getty)
Anthony Joshua is getting ready to finalising a deal to tackle YouTube sensation Jake Paul in a pre-Christmas bout. Initially, Paul was set to go head-to-head with light-weight world champion Gervonta Davis this Friday, however the struggle was known as off following kidnap allegations in opposition to Davis by his former girlfriend. An actual date is because of be confirmed however the plan is for it to happen subsequent month.
Now, 28-year-old Paul is gearing as much as face ex-heavyweight king Joshua, 36, in Miami this December, with the struggle set to be streamed stay on Netflix. Joshua hasn’t stepped into the ring since his crushing defeat by Daniel Dubois at Wembley final September. He views the profitable showdown with Paul as a warm-up for a possible face-off with Tyson Fury subsequent 12 months. Paul has constructed his boxing report combating former MMA stars, and his solely notable opponent, Tommy Fury, dealt the social media star his sole loss in 2023.
Paul known as out Joshua on his podcast in March when he mentioned: “I wish to struggle Anthony Joshua as a result of I do know I’ll f****** beat Anthony Joshua’s a**e. He would not have a chin, and he has no ability, and he’s stiff. I like you, Anthony, and we’re associates. However I wish to struggle you.”
However the American, from Cleveland, Ohio, has solely fought as soon as within the heavyweight division. That was when he took on a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Paul dropped to cruiserweight for his win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr again in June when he weighed in at 199.4 kilos.
He was at a profession excessive of 227.2 kilos when he fought Tyson. Against this, when he misplaced to Dubois final 12 months, Joshua hit the scales at 252.5 kilos – giving him an enormous dimension benefit except Paul packs on the kilos within the coming weeks.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn mentioned this week that Joshua may even struggle on an undercard this 12 months so as to get again within the ring – however he’ll now headline a struggle with Paul as a substitute. “We’ll decide this week on Anthony’s subsequent struggle,” he mentioned. “If he fights this 12 months, it is simply gonna be a… You in all probability will not even hear about it, except it is Jake Paul. We’ll make that call this week, however – outdoors of Jake Paul – if he fought this 12 months, you actually would not learn about it.”
Anthony Joshua has not fought since shedding to Daniel Dubois in September 2024 (Picture: Getty)
Paul’s enterprise accomplice, Nakisa Bidarian, mentioned in August: “This might be pursued as a straight-up skilled struggle. I feel there is definitely an expertise hole between the 2 of them when it comes to the place they’re at of their profession.
“From my potential, Joshua’s an energetic heavyweight. The probability of Anthony Joshua with the ability to land a heavyweight punch is far larger than what Mike Tyson had. I wish to give Jake as a lot time as potential to enhance on his boxing skillset to have the ability to successfully neutralise that foremost attribute of Anthony Joshua.
“My ask of him is to attend longer to do it. However when a chance is there, generally in case you do not take it, it by no means comes again.”
Whereas Joshua has beforehand labelled Paul “good for boxing” and added: “He has no beginner background and simply jumped straight in. He is studying beneath stress, and that can assist him evolve shortly.”
Leave a Reply